Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-10-08

'S0
present, and addressed the convention
by invitation. His remarks were APP
plauded to the echo.
UNKNOWN.
A Mans Skeleton Found Near
Buffalo Lake.
Minncwaukan siftings.
About six weeks ago a stranger
named Smith came to Minnewaukan
and stated his intention to take a claim
Of land in this vicinity if any could be
found that was available and suited
him. After remaining in town for a
few days, during which time he did odd
Jobs around town such as he could Sc.
cure, the stranger started west, with
the evident intention Of looking ovcr
the country and selecting a claim of
land. Nothing more was seen or heard
of Smith for several days until II day
he appeared in town, having in his
possession a rusty, double barrel shot
gun which he deposited in the saloon
of c. G. Berg, and of which he tells the
following story:
Several days after leaving Minnewau-
kan and while travelling in a westerly
direction, about ten miles southwest
of Buffalo lake, he was startled to find
lying upon the bare prairie on the
western slope of one Of the range of
hills that arc found in that locality, the
complete skeleton of a man, and lying
near his right side, a rusty shot gun
with the ram rod half way down the
right barrel and broken off almost in
the middle. Securing the gun and the
two pieces of wood that"had once con-
stituted the ram rod, and leaving the
skeleton unmolestcd, he returned to
town and told Of his discovery. The
gun was seer by the reporter at the
saloon Of MI. Berg, and upon exami-
nation Of the right barrel it was found
to contain n charge Of musty powder
and u single shot, which would indicate
that the owner was in the act of loading
the gun when the ram rod was broken.
Most of our citizens will remember
that early in the winter of 1885 a hunt
ing party consisting Of three persons
one named Chausee, another Robert
son and u thirI whose name we cannot
now recall-lest for the west on q sport
ing tour, and campel somewhere III the
vicinity of Buffalo lake. 1t is related
that one morning, after having been III
camp several days the hunters agreed
that Chausee and Robertson should 20
out together that day, while the third
should remain and attend to the affairs
at the camp. This arrangement was
carried out, and the two men left, each
carrying arms and ammunition sufficient
for the days sport. A brisk wind sprung
up during the day and in 81 few hours
developed into Il fierce blizzard. The
man at the camp anxiously awaited
the return of his companions and was
finally surprised by the appearance Of
, . Chausse alone, who. although almost
overcome by the cold and STORM had
found his way to the camp. Regard
ing the whereabouts of his partner,
Robertson, he related that when the
blizzard forced them to abandon theil
hunt and start for camp, IL dispute arose
between himself and Robertson as t.
the right direction to pursue TO reach
camp. This disagreement, Chausse said
! resulted in the men parting, he going il
one direction and his partner in anoth
er. Robertson never returned to camp
l and so far as can be learned was never
again heard from. 1t was general,
supposed by the few who knew Of thu
: case that he had wandered away on til,
: prairie and was frozen to death. :.
9 Whether the skeleton found b,
Smith is that of Robertson or not, is
question only for conjecture. 1t is evl
> dent, from the condition of the gun ant
by the general surroundings, that
deadly conflict Was taking place whe,
the man whose skeleton was found los
his life. and it was no doubt in his hast
to load the gun that the ram rod wa
broken.
AS far us is known the gun found b.,
f the side of the skeleton corresponds /,
Q that carried by Robertson when he lief
q camp on the unfortunate morning. I
is stated that the hest of friendship dit
! not exist between Chausse and Robert
son, and that they had had numerou
:, quarrels and disagreements previous t,
: the day Of Robertson's disappearance
"For years I have suffered from loss
f of appetite and indigestion, but failed t,
! find relief until I began taking Aver
! Sarsaparilla. This medicine e%ntirel,
. cured me. My appetite and digestion
: are now perfect.''-Fred G.. Bower, A9l
: Seventh ST., South Boston, Mass.
!. Millions of Acres Open to Settle
ment.
All who arc about to start for the ives
r or to locate on Southern railroad land
, will find Copp's Settlers Guide Of specia
service-published by Henry N. Copp
3 WASHINGTON u C.. nrlca. Or cnnfa